talkSPORT betting tips – Best darts bets and expert advice for World Matchplay day one acca

The opening night of the World Matchplay at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool features three world champions.

Former world champions Raymond van Barneveld and Gerwyn Price are in action, along with reigning world champion Luke Humphries.

The evening starts with Price taking on Daryl Gurney – the Iceman against SuperChin. Gurney’s walk-on song is often Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond, so it will be interesting to see if the Northern Irishman gets the Blackpool crowd into the mood for the Euro 2024 final by using the England football fans’ favourite ditty.

Van Barneveld meets Jonny Clayton in match two, before Humphries takes to the stage to face a familiar opponent. Ricardo Pietreczko pushed Humphries to the brink of elimination at Alexandra Palace in their World Championship third-round meeting in December, egged on by rowdy Germans in the crowd. Humphries fought back frm 3-1 down to win 4-3.

The final match of the opening night sees defending champion Nathan Aspinall take on Winter Gardens newcomer Luke Woodhouse.

World Matchplay day one acca

• World Matchplay first-round acca: Daryl Gurney (11/5), Jonny Clayton (8/13), Luke Humphries (1/8), Nathan Aspinall (1/2)

talkSPORT BET welcome offer – Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets (app only)*

World Matchplay first-round acca: Daryl Gurney (11/5), Jonny Clayton (8/13), Luke Humphries (1/8), Nathan Aspinall (1/2)

The most vulnerable favourite of the opening night could be in the first match – Gerwyn Price has been struggling for fitness and consistency. The Iceman has been prone to melting – a bad back one of several health issues which have stopped him performing to his best.

Price and Jonny Clayton are former World Cup winners for Wales, so were keen to link up again for their country in Frankfurt at the end of last month. The fact Price pulled out of that competition shows how badly he has been suffering.

Bookmakers are clearly expecting Price to overcome his problems and see off Daryl Gurney in round one of the Matchplay, but Gurney is having a decent campaign, getting back to something like his old form. SuperChin, who has twice reached the semi-finals of the Matchplay, looks good value to cause an upset.

Gurney, who won the World Grand Prix in 2017 and has twice made the quarter-finals of the World Championship, can be combined with the favourites in the night’s other three matches.

An accumulator featuring Gurney, Jonny Clayton, Luke Humphries and Nathan Aspinall pays more than 15/2 with talkSPORT BET.

Clayton won a Players Championship event in Milton Keynes last time out and the Ferret appears to be getting back to his best. A year ago, his beloved father died, and it has taken the Welshman a long time to get his passion for darts back. The 49-year-old said in Milton Keynes, though, that he has got his mojo back and is playing well.

Clayton averaged more than 106 in the final of that Milton Keynes success and he can be fancied to edge Raymond van Barneveld. Clayton beat Humphries in the semi-finals of last year’s Matchplay, before losing in the final to Aspinall.

World champion Humphries and defending Matchplay champion Aspinall should enjoy comfortable victories in the final two matches of the night. Both men are up against Matchplay debutants.

talkSPORT BET welcome offer – Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets (app only)*

Odds correct at time of writing and subject to change

18+ New customers only. Opt in via app & bet £10 on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments & Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org